Once a devotee
asked Prabhupada, "How many pure devotees are on the planet?" and
Prabhupada replied, "How many devotees are in ISKCON, that`s how
many pure devotees there are." There`s also an interesting
purport in the "Sri Caitanya -caritamrita", where Prabhupada
explains, that if one follows the principles of Krsna
consciousness, he can become a pure devotee and gradually he can
progress from the Kanistha platform to the Madyam platform and
ultimately to the uttama adhikari platform. So this is the
important point, that one is following the process according to
the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master. If he is strictly
following, then he is becoming purified at every moment. Thus he
can also act as a bonafide via media for spreading the holy name
of Krsna. It is not a difficult process. It is simply a matter of
surrender. If one surrenders, then he can become empowered. And
by his influence others will become vaisnava`s. And everyone is
needed in this movement. Once Prabhupada said that Caitanya
Mahaprabhu was the Supreme Lord, so he could make even the
animals dance in the Jarikhanda forest. "But, he said, " I need
all the help I can get." So therefore he said, "Whatever happens,
do not leave ISKCON. Even if you make some mistake, you have some
difficulty, you should go on in devotional service".Just as Lord
Krsna says:
api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak
(BG. 9.30)
"Even if one commits an abominable activity, if he is engaged in
devotional service, he should be considered saintly because he is
properly situated in his determination".
So even if there is some mistake, the only cure is to chant the
holy name and perform devotional service. The holy name of Krsna
is all powerful and is non-different from Krsna. Krsna is
Pavitram idam uttamam, he is the Supreme purifier.So we don`t ne-
ed to follow any other process of purification. Maharaja
Pariksit asked Sukadeva Goswami, how can one counteract sinful ?
activities? At first, to test him, Sukadeva Goswami said: "You
follow the rituals for atonement in the Vedic literature`s."
Pariks it Maharaja was very intelligent, he said, "That is just
like an elephant who takes bath, but he`ll get out and roll in
the dirt again and will have to take bath again." Sukadeva
Goswami was very pleased with his perceptiveness. He said: "Yes,
that is a fact, actually to become freed from sinful activities
and sinful desire, one has to flood the heart with the glories of
the holy name." Prabhupada said, "Just like in flood season, the
rainy season in India, you cannot plant seeds, they will not take
root. So in the same way, if the heart is flooded with hearing
and chanting the glories of the Lord, the seeds of sinful desire,
or popa-bija will not be able to take root in the heart."
So just like we keep the physical body clean by taking bath, in
the same way, one has to keep one`s mind, heart and consciousness
clean by always attentively chanting Krsna`s holy name.
Thank you very much.
Any questions?
Q: Can one proud to be a devotee?
A:One can be proud to be a devotee, but that shouldn`t be the
kind of pride where he starts thinking that he is better than
everyone else. He should always remain as a humble servant of
Krsna. And as Lord Caitanya recommended, he should offer all res-
pects to others. Prabhupada said that the Vaisnava`s are
respectful, even to the ant. But still internally, he should feel
glad, proud, happy and even proud to be a servant of Krsna.
Q:Guru Maharaja, can the parents be committing vaisnava apparadha
by punishing the child?
A: Obviously, the parents may have to correct the child or
chastise the child from time to time. If one is doing it out of
love for the child`s benefit, then there`ll be no offense. But
still it`s possible to offend a child.Just